Daffodil Days are here again
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
Flowers are a great accent to every home, and buying them to support a good cause makes them even better.
Since 1957, volunteers have taken to the streets to sell daffodils to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, and 19 years ago the tradition came to Strathmore.
“Lady Eaton threw a daffodil tea in Toronto years and years ago. It was a real success, and so we’ve just been doing it ever since,” said Carol Curry, Strathmore Daffodil Days coordinator.
“She did it for cancer and it just caught on. It’s been happening ever since.”
Daffodil Days officially began in 1954, when daffodils were used to decorate the tables at a tea hosted by Lady Eaton in the Eaton’s store in downtown Toronto. The tea was to help raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, and due to its popularity Toronto created an official annual Daffodil Day.
On Daffodil Day some restaurants would donate part of their receipts to the society and give patrons a daffodil in a token of their appreciation. The appearance of daffodils would create excitement among the public, and when restaurant patrons offered to pay for their flowers, society volunteers realized they could raise funds by selling them.
Daffodil Day eventually became Daffodil Days, which the society volunteers would use as a way to kick off Cancer Awareness Month. It came to Alberta in 1961, and in one day volunteers raised $6,000, which was donated to the University of Alberta.
Curry had volunteered in Calgary for Daffodil Days, and the people in charge there had asked her if she would coordinate and sell daffodils in Strathmore.
Running out of the flowers during the two days has never been an issue in Strathmore.
“We don’t have any problems at all, we in fact make more money than any other small town our size in Southern Alberta,” said Curry.
The daffodils will be selling for $6 per bundle, with about 10 in a bundle. There will be a booth set up in Sobey’s, No Frills and Value Drug Mart. People can also pre-order their flowers by calling Carol Curry at 403-934-3261.